Preview: Rockets at Kings

February 10, 2013|Reuters

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Preview: Rockets at Kings

James Harden's trade to the Houston Rockets continues to pay dividends. Not only has Harden's play earned him a first-career All-Star selection, but he's the main reason the Rockets find themselves in the mix for a playoff berth. Harden and the Rockets will try for a fourth win in five games when opening a brief three-game road trip against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday. Houston enters two games clear of Portland for the No. 8 seed in the West following a 118-103 victory over the Trail Blazers on Friday.

This season has been a struggle for Sacramento - particularly off the court. Despite a potential sale of the team and the threat of relocation, the Kings continue to show flashes of promise on the court. It's just that inconsistent play too often has been the norm for the young squad. The Kings, however, certainly looked like a formidable foe Saturday during a 120-109 victory over the Utah Jazz.

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (28-24): Harden has been especially hot of late, including posting a line of 35 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds against the Trail Blazers. According to Elias, only three other active players have had back-to-back games with at least 35 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in their careers. "Tonight was one of those where it's just like he makes play after play after play," point guard Jeremy Lin said afterwards. "...You kind of take it for granted sometimes."

ABOUT THE KINGS (18-33): The Kings displayed good ball movement in snapping a four-game losing skid while beating the Jazz, as six players scored in double figures, led by Isaiah Thomas' 25 points. It marked the first time the club reached the 100-point plateau in nine games. The Kings will again need to bring that high-octane offense against the Rockets, the NBA's second-highest scoring team. The showdown starts a stretch of three games in four nights for the Kings heading into the All-Star break.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Rockets have been lights out from 3-point range, hitting 44 treys over three games, including an NBA-record-tying 23 against the Golden State Warriors.

2. Rockets C Omer Asik has pulled down 15 rebounds per game over the past five contests.

3. Sacramento has dropped three straight in the series and seven of eight meetings.